The National Population Commission (NPC), Kwara office, says the 16 local government areas are set for the forthcoming census.

NPC director Saheed Adebayo, confirmed the readiness for the exercise in Ilorin on Monday.

Mr Adebayo explained that the commission had conducted the first and second pre-test exercises in Kwara in preparation for the next population and housing census.

He further noted that the NPC just concluded the trial census for the 2023 Population and Housing.

“The first and second pre-test exercise is to test run all census instruments, including the quality and usefulness of the maps already produced,” said the NPC director.

He added, “Also, adequacy of data capture method adopted, logistics arrangements and educational qualification of field functionaries to make sure that everything is ready for the forthcoming census.”

Mr Adebayo also mentioned that while the trial census “is a dress rehearsal to evaluate all aspects of the census operation before the main census on a limited scale.” 

The NPC director recalled that the first pre-test was conducted in May 2021, the second pre-test took place in December 2021. The trial census began in June and ended in July.

He, however, said the commission had challenges during the whole exercise, but were rightly addressed with the support of stakeholders of the communities involved.

Mr Adebayo added that all the enumerators and supervisors employed for the exercise had been relieved of their positions and they would be replaced before the census.

(NAN)